Bell SRT full face and modular motorcycle crash helmet

Bell SRT helmet: a fibreglass all rounder with sportsbike-ready visor

Bell helmets are a little unusual. Unlike every helmet maker we can think of, from time to time they’ve made a full face helmet, and then they’ve decided to make a modular version of exactly the same helmet.

Which is not to say they’re doing anything wrong. In fact, it makes total sense I guess: it saves development cost and gives us punters the option of buying a helmet in a couple of different configurations.

They’ve done it with the Revolver helmet in the US to make the Revolver Evo. And they’ve now done it with the SRT in Europe to make the SRT Modular.

Thing is, Bell are starting to phase out the SRT full face, while the SRT modular is the new kid on the block. So we’ll focus on the flip-front version here – but you can read about the differences between the SRT full face and modular below too.

Looking to buy a Bell helmet?

In the UK, we recommend SportsBikeShop (UK) for amazing service and free delivery. In Germany, we recommend FCMoto for a massive range of helmets. Please click either link to see their full range and latest prices or see here for more info on our recommended retailers (incl delivery details, returns and our experience of ordering a helmet with them).

Differences between the SRT Full Face and Modular?

The SRT full face is quite a bit more of a budget helmet than the modular – or at least it’s available at a much lower price point.

This one’s the SRT full face helmet

But there’s lots more.

The full face only has a partially removable interior lining. And it’s made in three shell sizes, not two. And it doesn’t have a drop down sun visor like the modular.

The full face SRT is Snell certified too, which should give you a bit of peace of mind that it’ll give you decent protection; but as we mentioned, it looks like it’s being phased out very soon. That means there are a load of good deals out there at the moment (click the links above to find the best ones at some of the most reputable dealers) but obviously it means soon you’ll just have the option of one – the SRT modular.

Safety

It’s often tricky to work out how much protection a particular helmet will give.

The Bell SRT has a fibreglass shell. Fibreglass usually makes for lighter, stronger helmet shells – and they’re more likely to be found on slightly more costly helmets; or at least helmets that are pricier than most polycarbonate helmets.

And from our research, they tend to be slightly safer than polycarbonate helmets – but less safe than composite or carbon helmets.

The SRT modular hasn’t been safety tested by an independent testing organisation yet (the old SRT full face was Snell certified). So there’s not much information we can turn to that’ll give us a definite answer, except for the fact it’s both ECE and DOT certified.

But if we look at how well Bell helmets have performed over the years, that might give us a pointer for how safe the SRT might be.

Front view of the modular SRT. Note all SRTs are delivered with clear visors

Bell’s last three SHARP tested helmets; the RS-1, Bullitt and Star, were all fibreglass (or the fibreglass versions were tested) and they scored between 3-5 stars out of a maximum five.

They were all full face helmets though and there’s only been one flip-up Bell helmet tested so far and that’s the ancient Bell M10. SHARP is the only testing organisation that publishes how often a chin guard comes unlocked for flip-up helmets during testing (obviously, if it comes unlocked in an accident, that’s A VERY BAD THING!) and the old M10 scored 90%, which is actually a pretty good score compared to lots of other modulars.

Other safety features?

That large panovision visor (width and height) gives more vision all-round (see visor section below for more info). It’s made in two shell sizes which ain’t many at this price point (read why here). And of course a drop down sun visor is well worth having to stop you squinting in the sun – especially when the sun’s low.

Helmet Noise

We’ll have to wait for our full review before we’ll know more about the SRT modular, but suffice to say if you’re looking for a really quiet helmet, either buy a modular and wear the most effective ear plugs you can, or buy a full face (especially one of these quietest helmets).

Ventilation

There’s a couple of vents in the chin guard to pass air to the chin area and up onto the back of the visor.

Hi viz yellow version of the SRT Predator

Way up top, there’s also a single central vent that’ll pass air through onto your crown. Helmets with sun visors have to push the top vent quite a way back because the sun visor sits just where you want to have ventilation channels when it’s retracted.

There’s a couple of exhaust vents at the back of the helmet, but because the crown vent is so far back, we’d be surprised if the ventilation was anything more than adequate on the SRT.

But we’ll have to wait until it’s been out a while before we’ll know what owners and riders reckon to the ventilation.

Visor

First up, it shares a visor with a few other helmets in the range – notably the Bell Stars. It’s what Bell calls a panovision visor, meaning that it’s wide and tall to give you good all-round vision.

Gloss white SRT showing sun visor slider on lower edge

It goes without saying that’s important from a safety perspective – peripheral vision so you can spot stuff coming up alongside/behind that bit easier, and tall frontal vision for when you’re getting a move on with your head down, closer to the tank.

A big visor also makes for a helmet that’s easier to live with and for a more fun riding experience.

The panovision visor on the SRT is also class one optically correct, so you shouldn’t get any distortion. And it also features Bell’s quick-release visor system that owners rate as very good and means you can swap over your visor in the blink of an eye – okay a few blinks – but it is quick and easy to use.

What’s not so great is the lack of anti-fog on the SRT, and the fact there’s no Pinlock in the box – which is a real omission because we need quality anti-fog when riding in Northern Europe!

There is a panovision pinlock-ready visor available for the rest of the Bell Stars that should be compatible with the SRT, but the last time we looked that was over £100 (yep, you read that right!) so probably won’t be a viable option for most folks on a tighter budget.

As always, if you want a helmet that’s either Pinlock-ready or comes with a Pinlock in the box (the best solution we know of to stop your visor steaming up) check out our Pinlock Helmets section.

Here’s the SRT Predator in black/grey/white

Sun Visor

Unlike the full face version of the SRT, there’s a drop down sun visor integral to the SRT modular. We find that’s a must for daily riding and touring so that’s a definite thumbs up for the SRT flip-front.

It’s operated from a slider on the bottom left hand edge of the helmet (see white helmet photo above). We find that’s the best place to locate a slider as it’s easiest to find and use there. The only issue is you might find it limits your use of a bluetooth as it’s pretty well exactly where you’d want to stick on a communicator – something worth bearing in mind if you ride with a comms unit attached.

There’s also grooves to accommodate glasses stems and speaker pockets in there for bluetooth speakers meaning it’s bluetooth communicator-ready.

Looks & Graphics

There’s three graphical options available at the time of writing. If you’re after a solid plain colour, there’s a gloss white, gloss black and matt black available. They’ve also launched the Predator graphics, available in Blackout (classy grey version) as well as copper, yellow hi viz and black white. There’s also a single Hart Luck design.

Best place to buy a Bell crash helmet?

We think it's hard to beat SportsBikeShop as one of the best places in the UK to buy a Bell from. They offer outstanding service (9.8/10 on Trustpilot and 4.5/5 stars on their Facebook page) and have a 365 day refund policy. They offer very competitive prices and have a price match policy too - and they're our recommended retailer for quality of service and fast delivery (and have a good range of Bell helmets in stock).

Or you could order from FC-Moto who offer the best range in Europe and score a solid 4/5 on Trustpilot (at the time of writing) - they're based in Germany (so delivery charges apply see here for details). If you want decent prices and a good range to choose from, we recommend you buy from here.

Please click below to visit their Bell helmets page where you can see all the latest colour schemes and prices. And if you buy from there, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site).

Click to visit Bell at SportsBikeShopClick for FC Moto (then use site search)

Overall/Summary

If you’re looking for a modular helmet from a maker who knows how to build quality helmets and that’s been in the business for aeons (OK since 1954 – but that’s pretty much the same thing), then the Bell SRT modular is well worth checking out.

OK there are some great modulars available for much less money and which offer more features (and we’ve included a couple of those in our Alternatives section below), but the Bell SRT looks a class act. And with the flexibility to work as your daily commuter lid as well as on your sportsbike; and with all the main features you’ll want on a modular (except a Pinlock) it looks like a decent buy.

First up, there’s the SHARP 4 star safety rated HJC IS Max II. It’s been around for years but that’s because it’s great value, has a sun visor, is comfortable and well ventilated and it has a Pinlock-ready visor (but it’s not in the box).

If you want a flip-up helmet that comes with a Pinlock in the box, how about the 4 star rated Shark Evo-One II? Owners say it’s easy to live with too and has great ventilation – but it’s a smidge pricier than the Bell.

Looking to buy a Bell helmet?

In the UK, we recommend SportsBikeShop (UK) for amazing service and free delivery. In Germany, we recommend FCMoto for a massive range of helmets. Please click either link to see their full range and latest prices or see here for more info on our recommended retailers (incl delivery details, returns and our experience of ordering a helmet with them).